Electrical connector



Sept. 28, 1954 w, B, PEARCE' ET AL 2,690,542

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Nov. l0, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 70 44 'o JNVENTOR.

ww/Z7 dwaal@ S@Pt- 28, 1954 w. B. PEARCE ETAL 2,690,542

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 1o, 1949 2 sheets-sheet a 65 4 .filj w66 .9@ @4 96 j' 95 a4 9@ 66% v /l/ /f /VV l l l 104 102 112 94 105 10.0 lem!V 110 INVENTOR.

M//l'om 3 ar'c'e BY dame.: .a un? Patented Sept. 2S, i954 GFFICE ELECTRICAL CNNECTOR Application November 1), 1949, Serial No. 126,488

3 claims. l

This invention relates to an electrical connector and particularly to an insulated electrical connector.

in general, the invention has for an object to provide a novel and superior construction of an electrical connector and particularly a cable connector, which may be economically manufactured and used with advantage as a universal connector for cooperation with an identical connector in ina-king an electrical connection.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of insulated electrical connector, and particularly insulated cable connector, adapted for use as a universal connector for cooperation with an identical connector in making an electrical connection.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved electrical connector of the character specified having novel provision for positively locking the connectors in their engaged position and whose structure is such as to be capable of being quickly and easily unlocked when it is desired to disengage the connectors.

With these general objects in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the electrical connectors hereinafter described and particularly donned in the claims at the end of this specification,

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of two identical connectors embodying the present invention and shown prior to engagement; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the two connectors shown in Fig. l showing the connectors in engagement; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a single connector, the section being taken on the line i-f-l of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of two connectors in engagement, the section being taken on the line S- of Fig. 3; Fig. '7 is a side elevation of a pair of engaged connectors illustrating a modied form of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross-section of a pair of engaged connectors as taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8. and Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the outer member of a single connector to be hereinafter referred to.

In general, the present invention contemplates a. novel and improved electrical connector designed for use as a universal connector in that identical connectors may be coupled together to form an insulated electrical connection. In accordance wtih the present invention, the electrical connector comprises a contact member preferably having provision for connection to a cable, and a casing surrounding the Contact member, the casing being provided with spaced fingers arranged ior cooperation with an identical casing member of a second connector, and in which the fingers of one casing nt into the spaces between the fingers of the casing of the second connector when the connection is made, the cooperating fingers serving to hold the contacts of the two connectors in engagement. In the preferred form of the invention, the casings may comprise insu lating casings and the cooperating contacts form the electrical connection. Provision is also prefer.- ably made for positively locking the engaged connectors together in a simple and efficient manner whereby to prevent inadvertent separation thereof and in a manner such as to enable them to be quickly and easily unlocked to disengage the connectors.

Referrine now to the drawings, the present invention is herein illustrated as embodied in an insulated universal connector. Each insulated electrical connector comprises in general a connector unit IB adapted for connection with an identical connector l2. Each connector includes a contact herein shown as a spring pressed butt contact member I4 carried by and threadedly secured to one end of a cylindrical metal member or carrier I6 slidably mounted in a tubular metal holder i8 having an inwardly extended flange portion 2) at one end. The contact carrier l5 is provided with a shouldered portion arranged to engage the inner surface of the flange 2D, and a coil spring 22 interposed between the outer surface of the flange and a collared portion 24 formed on the butt contact lil is arranged to yieldingly urge the contact outwardly, or to the left viewing Fig. 4, the movement in this direction being limited by engagement of the shouldered portion with the flange 20. The cylindrical contact carrier I6 may be bored as shown to receive the end of a cable, indicated in dotted lines at 25, which may and preferably will be soldered in the bore.

The insulating casing for the connector is herein shown as comprising an outer tubular insulating member 2 5 and an inner tubular insulating member 28 ntted within the outer member, the inner insulating member v28 being of less length than the outer member and secured thereto by pins 29 and the latter may also be made of insulating material. As herein shown, the flanged metal holder i8 is mounted within the outer member 26 and is arranged to bear against the Iend 3 of the inner member 23. The outer member 2i", of the insulating casing extends toward the cable end of the unit a substantial distance beyond the end of the holder I8, and is exteriorly threaded at Ithe cable end to receive a metal cap member A tubular insulating sleeve or spacer 32 is fitted within the outer insulating member 26 and forms an insulating extension of the tubular metal holder i8, the sleeve 32 being interposed between the end of the holder I8 and the cap member 3i] so that when the cap member is tightened the parts are held in assembled relation with the flanged end of the holder I8 fitted against the end of the inner tubular insulating member 28.

As herein shown, the connecting end of the outer insulating tube 26 is shaped to form two opposed elongated fingers 34, 36 arcuate in crosssection and having spaces 38, 40 therebetween, the spaces being substantially equal in width to the width of the fingers, and the inner insulating tube 28 is likewise shaped at its connecting end to form two opposed elongated fingers 42, 44 arcuate in cross-section and having spaces 46, 48 therebetween substantially equal in width to the fingers 42, 44, the fingers of each tube being arranged to register with and in substantially radial alignment with the spaces of its opposed tube. In other words, the illustrated insulating casing is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed outer fingers 34, 36 and a pair of diametrically opposed inner fingers 42, 44, each pair of fingers lying in different circles so that when facing the end of the casing a diametral line passing through the center of the outer fingers 34, 36 will be at right angles to a diametral line passing through the center of the inner fingers 42, 44.

With this construction it will be seen that when two identically -constructed insulated connectors are engaged in operative relation, the arcuate fingers 34, 36 of each outer tube 26 will fit into corresponding spaces 38, 40 of its opposed tube, and that the arcuate fingers 42, 44 of each inner tube 28 will likewise t into the corresponding spaces 46, 48 of opposed tubes to provide two substantially continuous thicknesses of insulation about the abutting contacts I4, as will be seen in cross-section in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 6, when thus engaged, the abutting contacts I4 are yieldingly engaged, the contract carriers I6 being depressed in the holders I8, the springs operating to urge the butt contacts in rm engagement. It will be observed that the fingers 34, 3S and 42, 44 are substantially equal in length and preferably extend a substantial distance beyond the end of the contact member I4. It will also be observed that each set of ngers nt snugly into the spaces of the other connector so that adjacent fingers form a substantially continuous tube when the connectors are engaged.

Provision is further made in the illustrated embodiment of the invention for locking the insulated connectors in their engaged position, the locking means being herein shown as comprising an exterior sleeve 50 for each connector fitted about and mounted for limited rotation relative to the outer insulating tube 26 but held from longitudinal movement relative thereto. The exterior locking sleeves 55 may and preferably will be made from insulating material and are also adapted for universal engagement with an identical exterior sleeve of a second connector, each sleeve being provided with two spaced and diametrically opposed fingers 52, 54 adapted to t into the spaces 56, 58 between the fingers of 4 an identical sleeve, the width of the spaces in this instance being slightly more than the width of the fingers to permit relative rotation of the sleeves after they are engaged.

In order to lock the exterior sleeves in their engaged position, one longitudinal side edge of each finger is provided with a hook portion or notch portion 60 arranged to engage with the hook portions of an identical connector, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Each sleeve 50 is mounted on the outer tube 26 so that the fingers 52, 54 are substantially in radial alignment with the spaces 38, 40 of the outer tube 26 and the sleeve is maintained in such position, with provision for slight rotation relative to the outer tube, by spaced pins 62 carried by and radially extended from the outer tube and arranged to be received in an elongated radial slot 64 formed in the exterior sleeve, the pins 62 being spaced relative to the ends of the slot to limit the extent of rotation of the sleeve and also serving to prevent vertical displacement of the sleeve. As illustrated in Figs. l and 2, the ngers 52, 54 may and preferably will be substantially equal in length to the ngers of the insulating casing and the hook portions 60 are disposed substantially medially of the ends of the fingers 52, 54, there being a slight clearance for the ends of the ngers to permit the hook portions Si) to pass each other when the sleeves are fully engaged. Thereafter, slight rotation of the sleeves to bring the hook portions in vertical alignment and then a slight outward pull of the connectors will bring the hook portions into locking engagement to thus prevent disengagement of the connectors.

In the illustrated embodiment of the inven tion, the yielding engagement of the butt contacts I4 serve to urge the connectors in a direction to maintain the hook portions 66 in engagement and also, when the sleeves 5 are initially forcibly engaged and rotated to present the hook portions in alignment, the latter will automatically be urged into engagement by virtue of the yieldingly engaged contacts when the sleeves are released from the hand. Provision is also made for automatically effecting rotation of the sleeves 50 to present the hook portions 60 in vertical alignment when the sleeves are engaged, and as herein shown, a spring 'l0 mounted in each slot 64 is connected at one end to a spring stud 'I2 carried by the outer tube 26 and extended within the slot 64, and is connected at its other end to a pin 14 carried by the exterior sleeve 50, the spring serving to maintain the sleeve at its limit of rotary movement in one direction against one of the limiting pins 62, that is, in a direction to urge the hook portions into vertical alignment when the sleeves are engaged.

As herein shown, the engaging portions of the fingers 52, 54 are preferably formed at a slight angle adjacent the notch or hook portions 60 to form cam surfaces 'I6 each of which is arranged to engage the cam surfaces of the other sleeve and which operates to effect relative rotation or spreading apart of the sleeves against the action of the springs 'I0 when the connectors are partially engaged and when the hook members pass each other the sleeves will be rotated by the springs to snap the hook portions into vertical alignment whereupon the spring loaded contacts I4 operate to urge the hooks into operative engagement. In order to disengage the connectors it is merely necessary to grasp the sleeves and rotate them in the opposite direction against the action of the springs I0 to move the book assioma portions out of alignment whereupon an outward pull will separate the connectors. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention each locking sleeve 50 is preferably provided with two springs 'it operating in opposed slots 64 and cooperating with spaced limiting pins 62. Also, the locking sleeves being preferably made of insulating material forms in effect a third tubular layer or insulation about the contacts when en-l gaged in operative relation, as shown in Fig. 3.

From the above description it will be seen that identical insulated connectors provided upon the ends of cables may be connected together and locked in operative engagement to form an enicient and completely insulated connection. While the present invention has been herein illustrated as provided with terminals comprising spring loaded butt contacts, it is not desired to limit the invention in this respect as other forms of cooperable terminals may be used including contacts of the either end type or of the plug and socket type. It will also be apparent that the either end or universal type of locking sleeve herein illustrated may be embodied in other types of electrical connectors.

While it is preferred to construct the casings and iingers of insulating material, in some instances we may prefer to construct them of metal and in such a case suitable insulation will be provided between the casings and fingers and the central electrical contacts. One `application of such a modified construction resides in those instances where it is desired to maintain continuity of a ground shield around the central conductor.

As illustrated in Figs. 7 to 10, the modied form of electrical connector embodying a metal casing comprises connector 80 adapted for universal connection with an identical connector B2. Each connector is provided with a central contact herein shown as a spring-pressed butt contact member 8i! threadedly secured to the reduced diameter end of cylindrical cable adaptor 8G arranged for connection to the end of a cable 85. The contact unit, including the member 84 and adaptor 35, is slidingly mounted in and insulated from the outer metallic casing member 88, which latter may form a ground shield around the central conductor. As herein shown, an insulating sleeve 90 surrounding the contact member 84 and movable therewith is slidingly mounted in the contact end of the metal casing. The forward end of the sleeve 90 is provided with a depressed portion 92 into which the head of the contact is received, the flared shoulder portion 9d of the sleeve bearing against the bottom of the depressed portion and the contact end of the head extending a short distance beyond the end of the sleeve to permit abutting engagement with the contact of a second connector. The other end of the sleeve 90 is bored to receive a coil spring 0E arranged to urge the contact member and its insulating sleeve forwardly, one end of the coil spring bearing against the bottom of the bore and the other end of the spring bearing against the end of a metal bushing 98 xed in the casing 88. The bushing 0S forms a slide bearing for the contact member 8d and the adjacent end of the adaptor 86, and is provided with a anged portion |00 engaged between annular insulating members |02, |00 iitted within the cable end of the casing 88, the annular member |02 being provided with a grooved portion arranged to receive the ange, as shown. The inside diameter of the annular 6l insulating member |04 forms a slide bearing for the adaptor 8E and engagement of the shouldered portion of the adaptor with the anged end of the bushing forms a stop to limit the outward extension of the contact member. |The end of the insulating sleeve is slidingly guided in the annular space formed between the metal bushing 98 and the insulating ring |02. A metal cap member |05 threadedly engaged with the cable end of the casing is arranged to retain the parts in assembled relation.

The metal casing 88, as herein shown, is preferably formed from a tubular member shaped at its connecting end to form two diametrically opposed elongated outer ngers |06, |08, arcuate in cross section and having spaces therebetween arranged to receive the corresponding outer ngers of a second connector and two diametrically opposed elongated inner fingers |53, I2 arranged substantially at right angles to the outer fingers and which are also arcuate in cross section and having spaces therebetween arranged to receive the corresponding inner ngers of the second connector. The outer fingers |06, |08 are coextensive with the outside diameter of the tubular member and the inner iingers are formed by bending the tube walls inwardly as illustrated.

With this construction it will be seen that when two identical connectors are engaged in operative relation the arcuate ngers of each casing will iit into corresponding spaces to form an outer metallic ground shield for the central conductor comprising the abutting contacts 34 yieldingly urged into iirni engagement by the coil springs Q6 and that the insulating members including the sleeve Si! and annular members |02, |04 interposed between the contact and the casing form an eiiicient barrier between the conductor and the casing. lt will also be observed that the slidingly mounted insulating sleeves t0 are arranged to afford insulating protection for the contact members B4 in any longitudinal position to which they are moved during engagement and disengagement of the connectors.

Provision is also made for locking the connectors in their engaged condition, and as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 10, one longitudinal edge of each of the two outer fingers |06, |08 is provided with a hook or notched portion H4 arranged to engage with the hook portion of an identical connector, the hook portions being disposed substantially medially of the ends of the fingers. The widths of the spaces are slightly more than the width of the fingers cooperating therewith so as to ,permit relative rotation of the casings after they are engaged and the inner fingers H0, ||2 are provided with cut out portions along one edge, as indicated at H6, for the same purpose. Thus, in practice, the connectors are moved together until the hook portions li pass each other and then slight rotation to bring the hookportions in vertical alignnient and a slight outward pull of the connectors will bring the hook portions into locking engagement, the yielding engagement of the butt contacts serving to urge the connectors apart to maintain the hook portion in engagement.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An electrical connector comprising a body portion, a spring-pressed electrical Contact member yieldingly and slidingly mounted in the body portion, a locking sleeve carried by and rotatably mounted on said body portion, said sleeve being shaped for cooperating and locking engagement with an identical sleeve of a second connector, means for yieldingly urging the sleeves into locking engagement when the connectors are engaged, whereby to maintain the yieldingly mounted contact members in their engaged position, and means carried by said body portion and engageable with said sleeve for preventing longitudinal displacement and for limiting the rotary movement of said sleeve.

2. An electrical connector comprising an insulating casing, a spring-pressed electrical contact member yieldingly and slidingly mounted in the insulating casing, said insulating casing having spaced ngers of a width substantially equal to the width of the spaces therebetween, said fingers being adapted to fit into the spaces of an identical casing of a second connector, a locking sleeve carried` by and rotatably mounted on said insulating casing, said sleeve being shaped for cooperating locking engagement with an identical sleeve of a second connector, and means for yieldingly rotating the sleeves into locking engagement when the connectors are engaged, whereby to maintain the yieldingly mounted contact members in their engaged position, and a pin and slot connection between said insulating casing and said sleeve for preventing longitudinal displacement and for limiting the rotary movement of said sleeve.

3. An electrical connector comprising a tubular insulating casing, a spring-pressed electrical contact member yieldingly and slidingly mounted in the casing, said casing comprising an outer tube having two spaced fingers of a width subbetween, and a second tube mounted within the outer tube also having two spaced ngers of a width substantially equal to the Width of the spaces therebetween, the ingers of each tube being in radial alignment with the spaces of the other tube in a single casing, said fingers being adapted to t into the corresponding spaces of identical insulating casing of a second connector, and an exterior insulating locking sleeve carried by and rotatably mounted on said insulating casing, said sleeve being shaped for cooperating and locking engagement with an identical sleeve of the second connector whereby to maintain the yieldingly mounted contact members in their engaged position, means carried by said casing and engageable with said sleeve for preventing vertical displacement and for limiting the rotary movement of the sleeve, and means for yieldingly rotating and maintaining the sleeves in locking engagement when the connectors are engaged.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 700,798 Morris, Jr. May 27, 1902 1,394,057 Woernley Oct. 18, 1921 2,125,816 Reynolds Aug. 2, 1938 2,171,726 Howell Sept. 5, 1939 2,386,177 Andersen Oct. 9, 1945 2,396,872 Miller et al Mar. 19, 1946 2,409,650 Wiggins Oct. 22, 1946 2,469,496 Child May l0, 1949 2,506,979 Varnum May 9, 1950 2,521,822 Roswell Sept. 12, 1950 2,548,457 Wilson Apr. 10, 1951 

